Post-Op Care

Care of the Mouth After Local
Anesthetic

If the procedure was in the lower jaw the tongue, teeth, lip
and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

If the procedure was in the upper jaw the teeth, lip and
surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

Often, children do not understand the effects of local
anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb
lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations
or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to
the tissue.

Monitor your child closely for approximately two hours
following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child
on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any
questions.

Care of the Mouth After Trauma

Please keep the traumatized area as-clean-as possible. A
soft wash cloth often works well during healing to aid the
process.

Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth. This could be an
indication of a dying nerve (pulp).

If the swelling should re-occur, our office needs to see the
patient as-soon-as possible. Ice should be administered during
the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.

Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If
infection is noticed - call the office so the patient can be
seen as-soon-as possible.

Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the
child feels comfortable eating normally again.

Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.

If antibiotics or pain medicines are prescribed, be sure to
follow the prescription as directed.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any
questions.

Care of the Mouth After Extractions

Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or
cheek while they feel numb or asleep. The child should be
watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue,
or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.

Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.

Do not spit excessively.

Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for
the remainder of the day.

Do not drink through a straw.

Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or
sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the
extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes.
This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat if necessary.

Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until the child
feels comfortable eating normally again.

Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several
hours after the extraction.

Pain - For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or
Motrin as directed for the age of the child. If a medicine was
prescribed, then follow the directions on the bottle.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any
questions.

Care of Sealants

By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants
keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since,
the covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on
the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Good
oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing
decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.

Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which
tend to fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments are
recommended in order for your child's dentist to be certain the
sealants remain in place.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play
an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly
applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing
surfaces of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes
regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing
and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are
eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the
child's teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be
eliminated!

Oral Discomfort After a Cleaning

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and
swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort. This is not
due to a "rough cleaning" but, to tender and inflamed gums from
insufficient oral hygiene. We recommend the following for 2-3 days
after cleaning was performed:

A warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day. (1 teaspoon of
salt in 1 cup of warm water)

For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as
directed by the age of the child.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if the discomfort
persists for more than 7 days or if there are any questions.